|
Algerian police fire water cannon at protesters
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Algerian police are firing water cannon at protesters in the capital as tensions mount on the eighth week of protests against the country’s leadership.The protest movement has been overwhelmingly peaceful but police were out in larger than usual numbers Friday. Reporters from The News Agency that Dare Not be Named saw police spraying water repeatedly on a huge crowd on Didouche Mourad Street in Algiers, on the route toward the central post office that has become a symbol of the movement. It was unclear whether something prompted the police to act. Maybe they just needed a shower? The street was packed with protesters waving Algerian flags. Protesters shouted "Authorities - Assassins!" and surrounded the water cannon truck, with some appearing to hit it. The protesters pushed out longtime President Abdelaziz  Bouteflika... 10th president-for-life of Algeria. He was elected in 1999 and is currently on his third or fourth term. Maybe it's the fifth.... last week but now want other brass hats to step down too. Anger is mounting over military chief Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, who was instrumental in Bouteflika’s departure but then threw his support behind interim President Abdelkader Bensalah, seen as part of the old regime. Bensalah was named interim president this week and announced new elections for July 4. Protest appeals online call for both Bensalah and the military chief to step down. Posted by: Fred 2019-04-13 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=538668 |